Finale Edition bids adieu to BMW M140i
BY JUSTIN HILLIARD | 11th Feb 2019
BMW Group Australia has seemingly confirmed that the next-generation 1 Series small car will not feature the current model’s rear-wheel-drive architecture, with the M140i Finale Edition hot hatch hitting showrooms from March serving as its farewell.
“To celebrate the last six-cylinder, rear-wheel-drive 1 Series hot hatch, we are excited to present customers with the BMW M140i Finale Edition,” BMW Group Australia chief executive officer Vikram Pawah said.
Mr Pawah’s comments are in line with overseas reports from early last year that suggested the 1 Series will move to BMW’s new FAAR platform that supports front- and all-wheel drive and is a significant update of the UKL architecture that currently underpins the X1 and X2 small SUVs, among other models.
While the M140i is motivated by a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline six-cylinder petrol engine that produces 250kW of power at 5500rpm and 500Nm of torque from 1520 to 4500rpm, its successor is expected to swap it for a 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit, such as that in the all-wheel-drive X2 M35i that develops 225kW/450Nm.
Meanwhile, the current-generation 1 Series and 2 Series ride on the same platform, but the latter’s successor is expected to move to a revision of the CLAR architecture that supports rear- and all-wheel drive and underpins existing larger BMW models.
Priced from $62,990 plus on-road costs, the Finale Edition commands a $3000 premium over the M140i variant upon which it is based, but buyers are compensated with a longer list of standard equipment.
These unique features include darkened headlights and tail-lights, a high-gloss black kidney grille, black-chrome exhaust tips, special-edition badging, metallic paintwork, a power-operated sunroof and wireless smartphone charging plus the choice of three 18-inch alloy wheel designs.
The M140i already features adaptive LED headlights, an M Sport braking package with blue callipers, adaptive M suspension, keyless entry and start, an 8.8-inch iDrive6 infotainment system, satellite navigation, a Harman/Kardon sound system, Dakota leather upholstery, high-beam assist and front and rear parking sensors.
Mated to an eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission, the Finale Edition sprints from standstill to 100km/h in 4.6 seconds while on the way to its electronically limited top speed of 250km/h.
“Through aesthetic exterior details and key equipment highlights, the M140i Finale Edition builds on the virtues that have made the M140i our best-selling M Performance vehicle,” Mr Pawah added. “It offers convenience and practicality with a distinctive sporting silhouette and outstanding performance.”
Sales of the 1 Series significantly improved last year, with the 2532 examples sold representing a 20.3 per cent increase over the 2105 deliveries made in 2017.
As a result, the 1 Series was the third best-selling model in the $40,000-plus small-car segment, trailing only the Audi A3 (5117 units) and Mercedes-Benz A-Class (4768).
